The fire ignited near South 10th Street and West Holt Avenue about 8 a.m. on Saturday.

An official with the Milwaukee Fire Department said there were no smoke detectors inside the house at the time of the fire.

Investigators said a man who escaped from the home told firefighters someone was left on the second floor.

"We immediately launched an incredibly aggressive interior firefight and search to look for life," Assistant Fire Chief Dan Lipski said. "It was during that search that we did come across a 7-year-old victim on the second floor in the bedroom of the structure. We removed that victim, began immediate resuscitative efforts."

The boy was taken to a hospital, and while en route, the boy's mother asked for prayers for her son. Milwaukee police said the child suffered smoke inhalation.

Relatives gathered outside the home, tending to a dog that also escaped, and they asked for the public's thoughts.

Neighbors said they rushed to help and called 911 to report the blaze.

"It was real bad when I came out here. Smoke (was) coming out of the roof. (I) couldn't even see firemen out there," neighbor Diane Cahak said.

Captain Eric Moore of MPD said in a statement, "Preliminary investigation suggests that the fire began as a result of an electrical failure. The investigation is continuing."